Tim celebrates his 60th with test of endurance

Farmer Tim Jury from Pett will be running the London Marathon in a chicken suit

Published:16:00Saturday 20 April 2013

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FARMER Tim Jury has lined up a hat-trick of gruelling endurance events to help celebrate his 60th birthday while raising money for a worthy cause.

While some may begin to slow down at 60, Tim Jury, of Pett, will run the London Marathon dressed as a chicken, followed by a 69-mile run along Hadrian’s Wall and a bike ride from Hastings to London.

Tim came up with the idea as a way of raising as much money as possible for Farm Africa, a British charity which is tackling hunger in eastern Africa by providing smallholder farmers with skills and technology so they can grow more food in increasingly challenging conditions.

Over the last 25 years he has raised more than £70,000 for Farm Africa, and for this fundraising drive, more than £2,300 has already been pledged via his online fundraising page.

He said: “I really wanted to come up with something that would give me a proper challenge to mark my landmark birthday this year.

“The London Marathon with its amazing atmosphere will be the perfect start and I’m looking forward to the buzz of the crowds and the sense of camaraderie with my fellow runners.

“I just hope it doesn’t get too hot in my chicken outfit!”

Naturally fit thanks to the countless miles he chalks up each week farming sheep, Tim has been out on 28-mile weekend training runs along the South Downs path in preparation for his challenge, which will culminate on his birthday on August 28 when he will cycle to London from his farm to present a fundraising cheque for all the money raised over the year to Farm Africa.